What is your whisky of the year for 2011?

[Onefortheditch]

Well Jim's chosen his for 2012, but what's yours for 2011? I have to confess that none have stood out for me as yet, but there are still a couple of months to go and maybe someone could suggest one?

[Ganga]

Problem is most of the "new" stuff I've had is from 2010. Takes awhile to hit the shelves out here.

[jmrl]

Old Pulteney 21yo, not.

[MacDeffe]

This is my favourite for this years best release

http://danishwhiskyblog.blogspot.com/20 ... o-634.html

I still got Glasgow Whisky Festival that could change my mind..

Steffen

[BruceCrichton]

Glen Moray 10 Chardonnay matured is a good choice.

I featured it in my event in Dufftown and it went down rather well. Unusual to have a 10 year old bottling at 40%abv to enthuse about.

[jmrl]

So Bruce not the Duthies 14yo Ben Nevis 14yo rum matured?

[BruceCrichton]

So Bruce not the Duthies 14yo Ben Nevis 14yo rum matured?

No. Strangely enough, it wasn't to my taste.

[BruceCrichton]

Benromach 2001 Cask Strength is a possibility, as is Adelphi's 1965 Lochside.

[The Third Dram]

I tend to gauge the relative merits of various whiskies according to different parameters, so it's very difficult for me to single out any 1 spirit as 'the best'. This is especially true when cross-comparing whiskies distilled in differing manners and originating from differing regions/countries.

That said, in terms of sheer drinkability and underlying nuances, Forty Creek John K. Hall Confederation Oak Reserve is certainly right up there with any other I've tried so far this year.

[mikeymad]

will let you know after this tasting next week in NY

http://universalwhiskyexperience.com/events/tickets

[Willie JJ]

Adelphi's 1965 Lochside.

Sounds awesome.

Can't think of a genius dram from 2011 off the top of my head. Usually there are a lot. Maybe I'll think of more when my mind is clearer.

[mikeymad]

Adelphi's 1965 Lochside.

Sounds awesome.

Can't think of a genius dram from 2011 off the top of my head. Usually there are a lot. Maybe I'll think of more when my mind is clearer.

Tis a bit late/early to think too hard sir...

[Willie JJ]

One of the above

[BruceCrichton]

Adelphi's 1965 Lochside.

Sounds awesome.

Can't think of a genius dram from 2011 off the top of my head. Usually there are a lot. Maybe I'll think of more when my mind is clearer.

Tis a bit late/early to think too hard sir...

You sound a bit perplexed.

[gwcollins]

As a single malt kinda guy I was tentative about 40 Creek blended whisky, BUT now I am a total convert. John Hall's latest Private Cask No. 1 limited release is stunning, and his Confederation Oak release is a revelation.
Easily my favourite whisky for 2011.

[Jobi]

will let you know after this tasting next week in NY

http://universalwhiskyexperience.com/events/tickets

This falls under the "am I worth it?" category. I tried to get some details on this but didn't have any luck. I did notice that Keens has a Cooley tasting listed for that same night.

[newwhiskyworld]

Not a new malt for this year but has been new for me this year. Aberlour A'bunadh. I have been through Batches 32, 35 and 36 at various stages and loved all of them. The fact that this is malt that comes in well under GB£40 is a testament to creating a fantastic product without having to age it for decades and charge accordingly.

Jonny
www.newwhiskyworld.blogspot.com

[ClubSmed]

For me I think the stand out dram of 2011 would have to be Tomatin Decade for the Scottish Single Malt category

[BruceCrichton]

Tomatin Decades is brilliant

[Ganga]

For me I think the stand out dram of 2011 would have to be Tomatin Decade for the Scottish Single Malt category

I've been hearing a lot of good things about this distillery over the last 2 years. I think their standard bottlings are much improved over that which was offered 5 years ago.

[bredman]

I must try that Tomatin Decades. Tomatin is a big favourite of mine.

[Onefortheditch]

Well for me it is going to be a 20YO cask strength Highland Park from the MWBH bottling company which I picked up for much cheapness at the Speyside Whisky Festival.

[edk]

Not that I have had a large number to try, but my favorite was Taliskers Distillers edition or maybe Talisker 57 North.

[AdamMY]

The dram that really stuck out for me was a Pappy Van Winkle 15 year old. Although some great drams definitely were had this year.

[Ganga]

In some ways, the whisky of the year for me was the Springbank 12 CS 54.6%. While it hasn't been the most brilliant whisky I've had for 2011, it really shows a progression back for this distillery.

[BruceCrichton]

Arran 12 CS is a possibility, as is Benriach Solstice.

The new Bruichladdich 10 year old is excellent as well.

[dramtastic]

From Scotland
DT Auld Rare Strathclyde 1973 37YO Single Grain

From Japan
Suntory Owners Cask Bar Hermit Private Stock Yamazaki 1996 Sherry Butt 13YO #AX70004 60%

Daily Dram
Yamazaki Bourbon Barrel NAS 48%

[pkt77242]

Under $50
Old Pulteney 12

Over $50
Pappy 15 or George T Stagg or William Larue Weller

[Novice Scotch Fan]

I was really impressed with GlenDronach 15 yrs. Looking back over the year past, it was the one that I thought was quite remarkable.

[outamyway]

Oban 15y 1996 Distillers Edition.

[JJR24]

Up until October it was Bunnahabhain 18 46.3%, that is until I tried my first Mortlach...

Now I would say my G&M Mortlach 1993/2009 54.1% - the first Speysider I would choose over an Islay...

[rogerdodger]

Irish: for me it has to be the Redbreast 12 cs

Scottish: possibly the Black Bull 40 Batch 2.

Japanese: the Yoichi 12 cs from the Nikka 70 anniversary pack.

Grain: Kawasaki 1982 Whisky Live Tokyo 2011 (only had a sample to this but it was amazing) or the DT Rare Auld Strathclyde 37 yo

ROTW: Sorry to the US crowd but it is probably one of the Amruts (Herald was nice, 100, Fusion is great no matter when it was made, am looking forward to Portonova very much and imagine this may be right up there....)

[dramtastic]

Scottish: possibly the Black Bull 40 Batch 2.

Japanese: the Yoichi 12 cs from the Nikka 70 anniversary pack.

DT Rare Auld Strathclyde 37 yo

Well the Black Bull was second to the Strathclyde for me from Scotland(thanks for the samples Roger),
and the Yoichi 12 CS from the Nikka 70 anniversary pack is something special as well, would have been my Japanese dram of the year if wasn't for a few stunners I had in Tokyo last October.

[BruceCrichton]

Where can you buy the Redbreast 12 CS?

[rogerdodger]

Where can you buy the Redbreast 12 CS?

I'm based in Germany Bruce so I can't help you on where to get a bottle in the UK. Have you tried the usual suspects? TWE - MoM? Tam's?